NSCAG APRIL UPDATE
Forthcoming webinar – The Recent Caribbean Coast elections and Autonomy of the Caribbean Coast regions
The next in the series of webinars organised by out international partner, the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, will take place on Sunday 21 April at 8pm UK time. The speaker is Johnny Hodgson, Deputy to the National Assembly and Political Secretary of the FSLN in the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACCS). He will address the question of what ‘autonomy’ means for people living in the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua, how and why these regions (North and South) held their own elections on 3 March of this year and who ran for election, from which parties and for what offices. To register go here
Fairtrade producer Flora Montenegro to visit Bristol in May
Bristol Link with Nicaragua (BLINC) partner, Union of Co-operatives SOPPEXCCA, has chosen farmer Flora del Socorro Montenegro to represent them in this visit to Bristol. Flora is a member of the "Isabelia" cooperative, one of the sixteen that make up SOPPEXCCA. Flora will be giving presentations in ten local schools to talk about life in the highlands of Nicaragua, the impact of climate change on the cultivation of coffee and cocoa, and the benefits of Fairtrade to her family, community and cooperative.
Flora will be speaking at a public event with Bristol Fairtrade to coincide with UN World Fairtrade Day on Saturday 11th May at SPARKS,78 Broadmead BS1 3DS (Bristol's Department Store with a difference). All welcome. More details from chair@bristolfairtrade.co.uk
For more information about Flora’s visit contact Clive Weston on cliveweston@yahoo.co.uk
Webinar Recording– Brave Women, Strong Women: Power & Protagonism in Nicaragua
Hosted by the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, this webinar took place on Sunday 24 March. The webinar featured a 90-minute report back from a January 2024 delegation to Nicaragua which explored Nicaraguan women’s roles and experiences as active protagonists in their society. Link to the recording is here. Sanctions
In a recent interview, Barbara Larcom and Jill Clark-Gollub from our international partner, the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, spoke of how increased US economic warfare waged against Nicaragua will only translate into a worsening of the migration problem in the US and affect supply chains in Central American and Caribbean countries that trade with Nicaragua. They also explained that Sandinismo has promoted people's participation in every aspect of social life, improving people's lives in human rights, healthcare, and gender equality, among others, and leading to an increase in infrastructure projects for citizens. To read the full interview see here.
On March 25, the former UN Independent Expert on International Order, Alfred de Zayas, made a presentation to the UN Security Council about unilateral coercive measures (UCMs), often called "sanctions." He denounced UCMs and urged, "Let us ...stop referring to UCMs as 'sanctions'. The only legal sanctions are those imposed by this Security Council. Everything else constitutes the unlawful use of force in contravention of the letter and spirit of the UN Charter.... Moreover, the word 'sanctions' implies that the State imposing them has the moral or legal authority to do so. This is not the case...." To read his statement in full see here.
The Member States of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People's Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) have issued a statement rejecting the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States on Nicaragua – see link here
Nicaragua is a Leader in Access to Health, says PAHO/WHO
The representative in Nicaragua of the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, Ana Elena Chévez, recently highlighted the advances presented by the country's Ministry of Health through a health map and emphasised that "Nicaragua is leading on the issue of access to health. It is an example and a health model that we have shared with other countries, as we believe it is the way. Working with families and communities is key to achieving these advances. The Ministry of Health alone cannot do it and that is why we believe that the Nicaraguan Health Model is an excellent example," she said. The map contains information on the advances in the reduction of maternal and infant deaths.
"When learning about this Health Map, every Nicaraguan should be proud of the progress that is being shown in an innovative way. I believe that with this, Nicaragua is giving an important example for other countries of how to manage data, how to present them in an accessible way for the entire population." She added that the data on the advances in the reduction of maternal death and infant death, reflect the political commitment of the Nicaraguan government.
India-UN Fund: Building Futures – South-South Cooperation Paves the Way for Inclusive Education in Nicaragua
The Ministry of Education (MINED) in Nicaragua, with the support of UNICEF, has unveiled its latest initiative, the ‘More Inclusion’ Communication Strategy for Social and Behavioural Change to foster seamlessly integrating girls, boys, and adolescents with disabilities into the nation’s education system. With a focus on inclusivity, this effort marks a significant stride towards ensuring every child receives the opportunity to thrive academically. To read more see here
Palestine
Nicaragua has been re-elected to the vice presidency of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at the United Nations. The election took place on March 11 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The bureau is currently composed of Senegal, Chair of the Committee, and the Vice Chairs: Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia, Namibia and Nicaragua. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour congratulated the elected members of the bureau, expressing his appreciation to the committee as a whole for their efforts and work toward the realization of Palestinians' inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, independence and the right of return of refugees, stating that his delegation will continue to work closely with the bureau to achieve these goals. He also stated that the priority continues to be saving the lives of the Palestinian people and insisted that they will not cease in their efforts to get the Security Council to finally approve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Nicaragua was first elected as a vice chair of the Palestine Committee in 2013 and since then, with each re-election, the solidarity of the government with the heroic Palestinian people is reaffirmed. Ambassador Jaime Hermida Castillo, Permanent UN Representative of Nicaragua, reiterated Nicaragua's support for Palestinian initiatives to become a full member of the United Nations, for a ceasefire, and support and funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Nicaragua has indicted Germany at the International Court of Justice for complicity in the genocide of Palestinians. See press release here. Preliminary hearings opened on 8 April, but it is likely that it will be some weeks before the ICJ delivers its preliminary decision. The hearing comes amid growing calls for allies to stop supplying arms to Israel as its six-month campaign continues to lay waste to Gaza.
The recent opening of the Palestine Park in Managua
40th anniversary of Nicaragua’s lawsuit against the US
9 April this year marked the 40th anniversary of the lawsuit Nicaragua filed against the US in the Hague on April 9, 1984. The ICJ ruled that the US violated international law in its terror attacks on Nicaragua but to this day, the US still refuses to pay the reparations it legally owes. Read more here.
Article – ‘The Truth Was Almost Killed in Nicaragua’
This article recounts the harrowing ideal of sports journalist Carlos Alfaro Léon, who was almost killed during the US-backed 2018 coup attempt when armed right-wing thugs seeking the overthrow of the Nicaraguan government burned down Radio Ya. To read the article see here.
Delegations
Two delegations are being organised this year by Casa Benajmin Linder tours in Nicaragua. These include: - • July 9-21: Solidarity in Action: Celebrating 45 Years of Revolution in Nicaragua • November 8-17: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua For further information see here.
If you would like to visit Nicaragua, either as a tourist, or as part of a trade union delegation, please let us know and we will do our best to help with any arrangements.
Speakers
Just a reminder that we are happy to provide speakers for regional/branch meetings (online or in person). Just email me on nscag@nicaraguasc.org.uk if you would like a speaker for one of your meetings.
In solidarity
Louise Richards
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group
www.nscag.org
Twitter: @NSCAG_UK